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The Reporter. (Akron, Ohio), 2009-03-28

The Reporter. (Akron, Ohio), 2009-03-28 page 1

I i*i laf"^ ' ^ ? BllmflJjpx M';:j--? n'j HI i^^l!|8Rj^il8BiM^^jfflj^fljiHraM38HH?BlHal<ii'illilmn^^^^^BlMBMnniii<i I^volx march 2?. wiwihri APRii.4.2titw SECTION A 25 Cents Per Copy I IHHi^ : The Reporter Celebrates 40 Years of Service To The Community INSIDE Commentary George Curry A Stimulus Guide For Dummies See Page A2 Entertainment Tabloid Says . Chrjs/Rihanna Sex Tape F-xists See Page A6 John Hope Franklin John Hope Franklin Dies At Age 94 See Page Bl Crime News See Page B3 News Briefs DON'T FORGET Benefit Concert The Canton Negro Oldtimers, Inc. presents a Benefit Concert to save the Oldtimers!! "Rebuilding for a Stronger Future" featuring Harold Melvin's Blue Notes with special guest Melba Moore on March 27th at the Canton Palace Theatre, 605 Market Ave N., Canton. Tickets are $27.50 general, $50 VIP. After-Party at the Oldtimers Activity Center, 1844 Ira Turpin Way NF Canton. Senior Power Program The City of Cleveland Senior Power Program is designed to help citizens 55 and older stay safe and prepare for emergencies. Sessons include tips on helping seniors to a\oid becoming victims as well as information on pretory lending and other scamcs. The Senior Power Program will be held April 6-May 4 at the Clark Recreation Center, 5706 Clark Ave., Cleveland. For more info call (216) 664-2833. * HUD Secretary Details Housing Plans Benefits For African-Americans By Zenitha Prince Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspapers WASHINGTON (NNPA) - Black homeowners who were unfairly targeted for the subpnme mortgages that helped topple the American economy now face the threat of similar predatory practices. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan told AfricanAmerican reporters this week. "We had many unscrupulous financial institutions, brokers and others that led folks down the wrong paths with these subprime and predatory practices. Unfortunately, we're now seeing some of those same people that got folks into trouble in the first place migrating over into foreclosure scams," Donovan said. "So we have people who are on the | edge of foreclosure, w ho are in a des- I perate situation that are hearing 1 things that are, frankly, too good to be true." t Confronting this burgeoning threat < will be part of the Obama I administration's eflbrts to address the 1 current foreclosure crisis and strengthen HUD's performance mo\ - 1 ing forward. 1 "We need to make sure that these kinds of scams are stopped as quickly 1 as possible," the secretary said, "[to ensure | that folks who have been victimized already by subprime or preda- < tory mortgage practices aren't victimized once again." Donovan, a HUD undersecretar\ during the Clinton administration, said they also want to make sure the per >ctrators are held accountable hrough rev ised and enforced rcgulaion."We had many unscrupulous filancial institutions, brokers and others that led folks down the wrong paths with these subprime and preda!ory practices." He said, "It's become very clear to me in my short time back at HUD that ihe fair housing enforcement responsibility that HUD has as part of its central mission has been woefully underfunded and neglected under the prior administration. So, one of my top priorities is to reinvigorate the fair housing function here." President Obama's budget, slated for release next month, will reflect the "high priority" nature of this issue to the new White House, Donovan said. "I think you will see a renewed com mitment to fair housing enforcement, including enforcement around lending violations that disproportionately targeted African Americans and other minority communities." The new HUD chief said success on these and other fronts demands cooperation and communication among different government agencies and also between the government and the community. HUD has already begun talks with Attorney General Eric Holder and others about creating a lender regulatory system that is "more focused, more transparent (and] more fair" among other enforcement tools, Donovan said. And, they are also working with the White House Office of Urban Policy and the Domestic Policy Council to Continued to Page A3 Council Signs Onto $17.2 Million Goodyear Financing neai Akron City Council has made the decision to, along with Summit County, chip in to help the Goodyear redevelopment project Forward with a new $ 17.2 million financing agreement.Due to curn^it credit conditions, the developer behind the much-anticipated $90<) million new Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. headquarters requested the financing assistance to offset a portion of the costs to acquire the Goodyear properties to be redeveloped. Under the deal, the Summit County Port Authority will issue $17.2 million in taxable development revenue bonds to help developer IRG Rubber City LLC purchase and make energy improvements to the Goodyear campus and Technical Center, with the exception of its test track and other minor parcels. IRCi will lease the Technical Center to Goodyear for 10 years. Should IRCi default on the three-year loan from the Port Authority, the city and county have agreed to each pay half of the loan back from their respective non-tax revenues. The city s maximum obligation snouiu IRCi default will be $7.4 million. Economic Development and Job Creation Committee Chair Terry Albanese (W-6) said those chances of defaulting are remote. "If things fall through, first it goes back to IRvi. things v\ould have to fall really quickly for that to happen." Albanese said. "If IRG had any inkling things would fall through that fast, they wouldn't be doing this because it falls to them first." Albanese said the city would have put up money to 'help the project along eventu any. anu inis agreement tepi taenia a mere reversal of the order ol things. "This is a ehange in order in the elements of the agreement - not a ehange to the content of the original agreement between Akron and the other parties involved when I t'i r> AHmnese VV-6 Council passed me reaeveiopmeni plan in December of2007," she said. "This allows the project to begin under the current economic circumstances."Summit C ounty Council approved its portion of the financing agreement earlier this month, but City Council took time to iron out questions about the arrangement. Council President Marco Sommerville (W3) said the questions were answered, and Council is comfortable with the new terms - especially because it means sav ing Akron jobs. "A lot of questions were asked, but at the end of the day, we get the job done and save Akron jobs, thanks to the city and the county working together." Ohio's Failing Grade Shows Need To Protect Teens Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray noted that information just released about teen dating violence sows an urgent need for two pieces of legislation pending in the Ohio General Assembly. The national advocacy group Break the Cycle, a leading voice against teen dating violence, has issued its 2009 State-by-State Report Card. Break the Cycle gives Ohio an "F" for its efforts to protect teenagers from abusive relationships.Ohio law does not allow judges to issue protection orders and restraining orders against juveniles. This provides severe limitations on teenagers who are seeking protection from abusive relationships because those relationships are most often with other teenagers. This was cited as the primary reason why Ohio automatically failed in the Break the Cycle report. Attorney General Richard Cordray supports two hills which would remedy this problem by providing both protection and prevention measures. I louse Bill 10. sponsored by state Rep. Edna Brown, (Toledo), would allow juvenile court judges to grant teens protective orders against other juveniles. State Rep. Sandra Stabile liarwood, (Niles), sponsored House Bill 19, which would require school districts to adopt a dating violence education policy to inform students about and promote healthy teen dating practices. "Passing these two bills will im( ontinued to Page A3 Akron To Participate In FREE Prescription Discount Plan Akron residents will soon receive much-needed relief in paying for medications with a new nationwide prescription discount plan. Akron City Council Monday night passed a resolution of support for the city's participation in the National League of Cities Prescription Discount Card Program. NLC launched the program for member cities to help residents cope with the high costs of prescription drugs. Through NLC's collaboration with program administrator CVS Caremark, the program is available at no cost to all member cities and their residents. Once the Akron prescription plan goes into effect - estimated to be within 30 days - residents will receive a card with the city's logo to receive 20 percent discounts on prescriptions at 60,000 participating pharmacies nationwide. "This program offers savings on prescription drugs to constituents without health insurance or whose prescriptions arc not covered by their current plans," said At Large Coun cilman John Conti, who offered the resolution. "This card would also be a good supplement to those programs that offer generic prescriptions at a discount, and we can implement this program at no cost to the city or our residents." . The program places no limits on usage, no age or income requirements, and all family members will he covered. Even some pet medications are covered with the card. The Washington. D.C.-based National League of Cities is the oldest and largest organization dedicated to strengthening and promoting cities For information on the prescription program, visit www.caramark.com/ nk. John Conti Councilman atl>arge For years Mrs. Toole has been and still is a very inspirational speaker, recitalist and is most famous for being a literary historial for special occasions.She is often called upon at her church for history recitals at different programs, awards and auxiliaries doing whatever the event consist of. She is an excellent role model and leader in our community. Mamie R. Toole has been an Akron resident since 1045. She is a retired Akron Public School teacher. A native of Mississippi, Mamie attended Atlanta's Clark College and is a graduate of Henderson Business College in Memphis, Tennessee. She is an alumnus of the University of Akron. Mrs. Toole has five adult daughters, 16 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She is a member of First Apostolic Faith Church and has been Church Historian and a member of the Choir. As a member of the Ed Davis Senior Citizen Club. Mamie promotes smiles and laughter for the members. She is also a certified Type B Child Care Provider for Summit County. She is a friend to the friendless and a people person. Keep up the good work. L_-i c i?. m Mamie Toole Hemf.mber Thf. Dream \nd Do Something Positive or Someone Less Fortunate!! ml <1 Tom Joyner "Take A Love One To The Doctor Day" Coming To Open M! Radio One, Inc., which operates 93.1 KM WZAK Z1079 WENZ, Praise 1300 WJMO, and Newstalk 1490 WERE will bring Tom Joyner's "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day" to OPEN M on Tuesday, April 7th, 2009. Tom Joyner is the most listened to African American radio host in America and his "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day" takes place every year in hundreds of cities across the U.S. Now Akron will be added to that list! 93.1 WZAK will be at OPEN M beginning at 6:00 a.m. on the 7th of April to kick off the event. Then join WZAK's own Kim Johnson as she broadcasts live from OPEN M from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. This event will feature health screenings, healthy snacks, celebrities, and much, much more! "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day" is a health initiative created by Tom Joyner to close the gap in health disparity that exists in the African American community. In previous years, we have conducted over 1500 health screenings in just one day! These screenings include high blood pressure, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and HIV/AIDS just to name a few. Lives have been saved as a direct result of this powerful event. "This is truly a party with a purpose," says Chris Fargy, Vice President and General Manager of Radio One, Inc. If you would like more information on how to get involved in this year's "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day", please contact Haig Meguerditchian at (216) 579-1 111. FirstMerit Offers Free Mortgage Seminar & Credit Counseling FirstMerit Bank wants to make dreams of homeownership a reality through attendance at a specially designed mortgage seminar. Attendees will receive free, individualized credit counseling sessions. The session will be held from 9 a.m. until 12 noon on Saturday, April 4, at the Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 442 Bell St. in Akron. Refreshments will be served and childcare is available for children ages 3-8. Those wanting to take the first step toward owning a home may pre-register for limited seating at this free seminar by calling (330) 253-3711 or register onsite beginning at 8:30 a.m. on the day of the event. Parents requiring childcare services are urged to call ahead. FirstMerit Corporation is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Akron, Ohio, with assets of SI 1.1 billion as of December 31, 2008 and 160 hanking offices and 182 ATMs in 2S Ohio and Western Pennsylvania counties. Sunday, March 29 ^ Noon - 3 p.m. Studant Services Center ?tarfcttata.edu 6200 Frank Avtnut N.w. North C*rton 330-966-5450 1-800-79-STAflK

I i*i laf"^ ' ^ ? BllmflJjpx M';:j--? n'j HI i^^l!|8Rj^il8BiM^^jfflj^fljiHraM38HH?BlHalctrators are held accountable hrough rev ised and enforced rcgulaion."We had many unscrupulous filancial institutions, brokers and others that led folks down the wrong paths with these subprime and preda!ory practices." He said, "It's become very clear to me in my short time back at HUD that ihe fair housing enforcement responsibility that HUD has as part of its central mission has been woefully underfunded and neglected under the prior administration. So, one of my top priorities is to reinvigorate the fair housing function here." President Obama's budget, slated for release next month, will reflect the "high priority" nature of this issue to the new White House, Donovan said. "I think you will see a renewed com mitment to fair housing enforcement, including enforcement around lending violations that disproportionately targeted African Americans and other minority communities." The new HUD chief said success on these and other fronts demands cooperation and communication among different government agencies and also between the government and the community. HUD has already begun talks with Attorney General Eric Holder and others about creating a lender regulatory system that is "more focused, more transparent (and] more fair" among other enforcement tools, Donovan said. And, they are also working with the White House Office of Urban Policy and the Domestic Policy Council to Continued to Page A3 Council Signs Onto $17.2 Million Goodyear Financing neai Akron City Council has made the decision to, along with Summit County, chip in to help the Goodyear redevelopment project Forward with a new $ 17.2 million financing agreement.Due to curn^it credit conditions, the developer behind the much-anticipated $90 AHmnese VV-6 Council passed me reaeveiopmeni plan in December of2007," she said. "This allows the project to begin under the current economic circumstances."Summit C ounty Council approved its portion of the financing agreement earlier this month, but City Council took time to iron out questions about the arrangement. Council President Marco Sommerville (W3) said the questions were answered, and Council is comfortable with the new terms - especially because it means sav ing Akron jobs. "A lot of questions were asked, but at the end of the day, we get the job done and save Akron jobs, thanks to the city and the county working together." Ohio's Failing Grade Shows Need To Protect Teens Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray noted that information just released about teen dating violence sows an urgent need for two pieces of legislation pending in the Ohio General Assembly. The national advocacy group Break the Cycle, a leading voice against teen dating violence, has issued its 2009 State-by-State Report Card. Break the Cycle gives Ohio an "F" for its efforts to protect teenagers from abusive relationships.Ohio law does not allow judges to issue protection orders and restraining orders against juveniles. This provides severe limitations on teenagers who are seeking protection from abusive relationships because those relationships are most often with other teenagers. This was cited as the primary reason why Ohio automatically failed in the Break the Cycle report. Attorney General Richard Cordray supports two hills which would remedy this problem by providing both protection and prevention measures. I louse Bill 10. sponsored by state Rep. Edna Brown, (Toledo), would allow juvenile court judges to grant teens protective orders against other juveniles. State Rep. Sandra Stabile liarwood, (Niles), sponsored House Bill 19, which would require school districts to adopt a dating violence education policy to inform students about and promote healthy teen dating practices. "Passing these two bills will im( ontinued to Page A3 Akron To Participate In FREE Prescription Discount Plan Akron residents will soon receive much-needed relief in paying for medications with a new nationwide prescription discount plan. Akron City Council Monday night passed a resolution of support for the city's participation in the National League of Cities Prescription Discount Card Program. NLC launched the program for member cities to help residents cope with the high costs of prescription drugs. Through NLC's collaboration with program administrator CVS Caremark, the program is available at no cost to all member cities and their residents. Once the Akron prescription plan goes into effect - estimated to be within 30 days - residents will receive a card with the city's logo to receive 20 percent discounts on prescriptions at 60,000 participating pharmacies nationwide. "This program offers savings on prescription drugs to constituents without health insurance or whose prescriptions arc not covered by their current plans," said At Large Coun cilman John Conti, who offered the resolution. "This card would also be a good supplement to those programs that offer generic prescriptions at a discount, and we can implement this program at no cost to the city or our residents." . The program places no limits on usage, no age or income requirements, and all family members will he covered. Even some pet medications are covered with the card. The Washington. D.C.-based National League of Cities is the oldest and largest organization dedicated to strengthening and promoting cities For information on the prescription program, visit www.caramark.com/ nk. John Conti Councilman atl>arge For years Mrs. Toole has been and still is a very inspirational speaker, recitalist and is most famous for being a literary historial for special occasions.She is often called upon at her church for history recitals at different programs, awards and auxiliaries doing whatever the event consist of. She is an excellent role model and leader in our community. Mamie R. Toole has been an Akron resident since 1045. She is a retired Akron Public School teacher. A native of Mississippi, Mamie attended Atlanta's Clark College and is a graduate of Henderson Business College in Memphis, Tennessee. She is an alumnus of the University of Akron. Mrs. Toole has five adult daughters, 16 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She is a member of First Apostolic Faith Church and has been Church Historian and a member of the Choir. As a member of the Ed Davis Senior Citizen Club. Mamie promotes smiles and laughter for the members. She is also a certified Type B Child Care Provider for Summit County. She is a friend to the friendless and a people person. Keep up the good work. L_-i c i?. m Mamie Toole Hemf.mber Thf. Dream \nd Do Something Positive or Someone Less Fortunate!! ml <1 Tom Joyner "Take A Love One To The Doctor Day" Coming To Open M! Radio One, Inc., which operates 93.1 KM WZAK Z1079 WENZ, Praise 1300 WJMO, and Newstalk 1490 WERE will bring Tom Joyner's "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day" to OPEN M on Tuesday, April 7th, 2009. Tom Joyner is the most listened to African American radio host in America and his "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day" takes place every year in hundreds of cities across the U.S. Now Akron will be added to that list! 93.1 WZAK will be at OPEN M beginning at 6:00 a.m. on the 7th of April to kick off the event. Then join WZAK's own Kim Johnson as she broadcasts live from OPEN M from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. This event will feature health screenings, healthy snacks, celebrities, and much, much more! "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day" is a health initiative created by Tom Joyner to close the gap in health disparity that exists in the African American community. In previous years, we have conducted over 1500 health screenings in just one day! These screenings include high blood pressure, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and HIV/AIDS just to name a few. Lives have been saved as a direct result of this powerful event. "This is truly a party with a purpose," says Chris Fargy, Vice President and General Manager of Radio One, Inc. If you would like more information on how to get involved in this year's "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day", please contact Haig Meguerditchian at (216) 579-1 111. FirstMerit Offers Free Mortgage Seminar & Credit Counseling FirstMerit Bank wants to make dreams of homeownership a reality through attendance at a specially designed mortgage seminar. Attendees will receive free, individualized credit counseling sessions. The session will be held from 9 a.m. until 12 noon on Saturday, April 4, at the Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 442 Bell St. in Akron. Refreshments will be served and childcare is available for children ages 3-8. Those wanting to take the first step toward owning a home may pre-register for limited seating at this free seminar by calling (330) 253-3711 or register onsite beginning at 8:30 a.m. on the day of the event. Parents requiring childcare services are urged to call ahead. FirstMerit Corporation is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Akron, Ohio, with assets of SI 1.1 billion as of December 31, 2008 and 160 hanking offices and 182 ATMs in 2S Ohio and Western Pennsylvania counties. Sunday, March 29 ^ Noon - 3 p.m. Studant Services Center ?tarfcttata.edu 6200 Frank Avtnut N.w. North C*rton 330-966-5450 1-800-79-STAflK